“I have my personal opinion that maybe the chair umpire should not have pushed Serena to the limit, especially in a Grand Slam final,” Djokovic said in the aftermath of his U.S. Open victory against Juan Martin del Potro. “He did change the course of the match. [It] was, in my opinion, maybe unnecessary. We all go through our emotions, especially when you’re fighting for a Grand Slam trophy.”

For what was Serena Williams penalized?

With Williams trailing Naomi Osaka 1-0 in the second set of Sunday’s eventual 6-2, 6-4 loss, Ramos issued the six-time U.S. Open champion a warning for allegedly receiving signals from her coach. Later in the same set, Ramos cited her for breaking her racket in frustration, and when she called him a “thief” for the resulting penalty that cost her a point, he issued a third violation that cost her a game.

Williams, WTA cite sexism in officiating hypocrisy

Afterwards, Williams suggested that Ramos and other umpires are more tolerant of worse criticism from male players. “It made me feel like it was a sexist remark,” she told reporters on Saturday. “He never took a game from a man because he said ‘thief.’ For me, it blows my mind, but I’m going to continue to fight for women. … The fact that I have to go through this is just an example for the next person that has emotions and wants to express themselves and wants to be strong woman.”

“The WTA believes that there should be no difference in the standards of tolerance provided to the emotions expressed by men vs. women and is committed to working with the sport to ensure that all players are treated the same,” his statement said. “We do not believe that this was done last night.”

Djokovic believes umpires treat men and women equally

Djokovic did not necessarily agree with Simon’s assessment of Saturday night’s controversy.

“I don’t understand from where he’s coming with that statement,” said Djokovic, suggesting this was the first he has heard of umpires failing to treat men and women equally. The Serbian added, “I don’t think it’s [the] time and place really to get into other subjects. I don’t see things as Mr. Simon does. I really don’t. I think men and women are treated in this way or the other way depending on the situation. It’s hard to generalize things, really. I don’t see it’s necessary really to debate that.”